| As I write this, a small carved figure smiles at me. A | | | | wants each of us to join him. |
| happy Buddha; this little round man made of resin | | | | Mini-practice: |
| beams joy at me with all his worldly belongings in a | | | | Sit beautifully, in a posture that is connected to the |
| sack slung on a stick over his shoulder. | | | | earth and sky. Open to the infinite possibilities that |
| This form speaks of simplicity, of the delight of | | | | come from an expanded perspective. |
| enlightenment, of the freedom of the soul that truly | | | | Think of a time when you have felt totally |
| knows itself. | | | | connected to source. It may have been inspired by |
| When you study yogic scripture, the word "Ananda" | | | | an experience in nature, relationship with another, the |
| comes up a lot. Ananda is the highest bliss; the | | | | innocence and wonder of a child... It may have been |
| power of ecstasy itself. It is to this ultimate joy that | | | | in meditation, or in the spark of love. |
| conscious awakening leads. | | | | As you remember this experience of divine |
| All of the efforts and guiding instructions of yoga | | | | connection, call on the feelings that accompanied it. |
| lead to consciousness and bliss. These two things, | | | | Feel the simplicity of the moment. Feel the elation |
| ChitAnanda, are the purpose of all experiences. Chit is | | | | that is waiting for your invitation to rush in with all its |
| the highest knowledge, the consciousness that | | | | loving energy. |
| pulsates within all things; true awakening which | | | | Feel the clarity of your breath. Breathe into yourself |
| comes, at least at first, in momentary blasts of | | | | the awareness that there are an infinite number of |
| clarity and light, ever accompanied by a hit of radiant | | | | ways to come into pure knowing and the highest |
| joy. | | | | bliss. ChitAnanda offers itself to you in every |
| When you simplify the practices we do, you find that | | | | moment. |
| it all comes down to these two things: ChitAnanda. | | | | Sit here, in this open awareness, and feel the pulse |
| The highest consciousness and purest bliss. These | | | | of pure joy within. |
| are what we cultivate: remembrance and celebration, | | | | When you decide to come out of stillness, continue |
| awareness and expression, true knowing and ecstatic | | | | the awareness throughout your day. As much as you |
| union with the Divine. | | | | can, remember to see through this lens of connection |
| This is what the little Buddha is smiling about. He | | | | and consciousness. As you move through life from an |
| knows what's up when it comes to bliss. | | | | intention to recognize the joy in every moment, you |
| He's gotten down to the simplicity and intimate | | | | will brighten the hearts of others and come into the |
| experience of these two things. And because he | | | | heart of ChitAnanda. |
| knows the truth, that the essence of being is joy, he | | | | Pure joy and Buddha smiles! |